The FDA proposes animal feed safety rules

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed new regulations meant to help ensure that animal feed is free from contaminants. The action comes under the Food Safety Modernization Act, which aims to protect the public health by helping to ensure the safety and security of the human and animal food supply.

Animal facilities are required to register with the FDA under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act would be subject to the regulations. It means any company that is in the business of handling feed for animals, whether for pets or for animals meant for human consumption, would be subject to the new regulations. Under the regulation, facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold animal feed and pet food would be required to develop and implement a formal plan for identifying and preventing potential hazards, as well as establishing plans for correcting problems.

The FDA says manufacturers that supply ingredients for animal feed would also be expected to comply. The proposed changes focus on preventing contamination before it happens instead of addressing issues as they occur. Contamination can include bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), chronic wasting disease (a form of spongiform encephalopathy that affects deer, elk and moose), mycotoxins (mould), dioxins, melamine and microbial contamination in pet foods, according to the FDA. See also: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-10-29/html/2013-25126.htm